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M Anguita

Publications and source records attributed to M Anguita.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[The echocardiographic findings in patients with brain death. The implications for their selection as heart transplant donors].

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Brain death causes myocardial impairment by some mechanisms not yet well understood. The aim of this work was to assess the echocardiographic features found in these patients and their implication in donor selection for heart transplantation. METHODS: With this aim, we have studied 38 consecutive patients with brain death assessed as possible donors for heart transplant in our hospital in the last 3 years. Age was 23 +/- 13 years; 77% were male. No history of cardiac disease was present in any patient. An adequate transthoracic echocardiogram was obtained in 74% of patients; transesophageal view was used in the remaining 26%. RESULTS: Echocardiogram was strictly normal in only 14 patients (37%). Mild valvular alterations were found in 5 patients (13%); a dilated aortic root in 1 (3%); moderate concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in 5 (14%); mild pericardial effusion in 1 (3%); mild septal hypokinesia with normal left ventricular ejection fraction in 4 (10%); abnormal left ventricular diastolic function in 7 (18%); and diffuse hypokinesia with ejection fraction less than 60% in 14 (37%). In 7 patients (18%) ejection fraction was lower than 40% (one of them was cocaine-addict). Mean ejection fraction was 59 +/- 15% (23 to 83%). Only 2 of the 19 (10%) donor hearts implanted in our hospital showed early dysfunction after transplant, but no relation to pretransplant ejection fraction was found. Ejection fraction increased from 62% pretransplant to 73% at one week after transplant in the other 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Brain death commonly causes alterations of left ventricular function, and this impairment is severe in almost 20% of cases. These echocardiographic features must be known when selection of donors for heart transplantation is concerned.

Adolescent↗

[The incidence, mechanisms and clinical factors predictive of sudden death in patients with severe heart failure evaluated in anticipation of heart transplantation].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sudden death is not uncommon in patients with severe congestive heart failure. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence, mechanisms and clinical predictors of sudden death in a large series of patients with severe congestive heart failure evaluated for heart transplantation. METHODS: With this aim we have reviewed our experience on 240 consecutive patients with severe heart failure studied in our hospital from May 1986 to June 1992. Heart failure was due to ischemic heart disease in 35% of patients and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in 65%. Age was 47 +/- 12 years, left ventricular ejection fraction was 20 +/- 6%, and symptom class was IV in 88% of patients and III in 12%. RESULTS: Sixty-eight of the 240 patients (28%) died without transplantation. Death was sudden in 21 patients (31% of deaths, and 9% of all patients), due to heart failure in 41 (68%), and due to malignancy (ampuloma) in 1 (1%). Mechanism of sudden death could be identified in 12 cases: ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in 8 and bradycardia/electromechanical dissociation in 4. On multivariate analysis (stepwise logistic regression), a lower tolerated captopril dosage (p = 0.004), a lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.079) and a history of a ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (p = 0.073) were independent predictors of sudden death. CONCLUSIONS: It seems possible to identify, between patients with severe heart failure, a subgroup of patients at higher risk for sudden death by means of such simple clinical parameters.

Acute Disease↗

[Short- and long-term course of heart transplantation recipients with severe dysfunction of the graft associated with acute rejection].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Acute rejection is still a common cause of death after heart transplantation, in spite of cyclosporine. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of severe graft dysfunction associated with acute rejection and the short and long-term outcome of these patients. METHODS: Ten of our 100 first heart transplant patients have developed rejection-induced severe cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction determined by echocardiography < 35% associated with 3A, 3B or 4 acute rejection). Clinical outcome, complications and evolution of left ventricular function were studied. RESULTS: Five patients were given intravenous methylprednisolone 500 to 1000 mg/day for 3 days. The other 5 patients had severe heart failure and received antilymphocyte antibodies. Three patients treated with methylprednisolone alone and one patient treated with antilymphocyte antibodies died within the first week after therapy. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 26 +/- 4% to 51 +/- 6% at 1 month after therapy in the 6 survivor patients. Four of the 6 survivor patients also died before 1 year after rejection (3 due to infection). Thus, long-term, overall mortality was 80%. CONCLUSIONS: Although favorable short-term results can be achieved in patients with rejection-induced severe cardiac dysfunction with immunosuppressive therapy (mainly antilymphocyte antibodies), long-term prognosis seems poor, due to the increased rate of life-threatening infections.

Acute Disease↗

[Infectious endocarditis due to Q fever: a recurrent disease. Apropos a new case].

We report a case of a patient with an aortic prosthetic valve who had Q fever endocarditis, glomerulonephritis and rapidly progressive renal failure. He was seen in 1987 and successfully treated by heart valve surgery and a one-year course of doxycycline. Five years later, the patient had another episode of Q fever endocarditis, involving the native mitral valve, complicated with acute renal failure and severe mitral regurgitation that required hemodialysis and mitral valve replacement. The outcome was again successful. This case report raises the question of whether Q fever endocarditis can be eradicated, and also the required duration of antibiotic therapy for this disease.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

[An analysis of the factors and phenomena associated with the formation of a spontaneous echo contrast in the left atrium].

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: To determine the factors related to the formation of spontaneous echo contrast in left atrium. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have analyzed our series of 1,066 patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography until December 1991. It was found in left atrium in 387 patients (36%) and was associated with another pathology in 99%. We defined spontaneous echo contrast as mild in 64% and severe in 36%. RESULTS: The prevalence of spontaneous echo contrast was greater in patients with atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), mitral stenosis (p < 0.001), double mitral lesion (p < 0.001), prosthesis (p < 0.001), embolism (p < 0.05) and a dilated left atrium (left atrial dimension greater than 60 ml) (p < 0.01). The presence of mitral regurgitation made it less frequent (p < 0.05). Thrombi were visualized in 104 patients and they were more frequent in the presence of spontaneous echo contrast. Severe spontaneous echo contrast was significantly more frequent in patients with atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001), mitral stenosis (p < 0.05) and thrombi (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous echo contrast in left atrium is a common finding in transesophageal studies and it is associated with another pathology in 99%. It is more frequent in patients with atrial fibrillation, mitral stenosis, embolism or prosthesis. Left atrial enlargement is one of the more important factors. It is less frequent in patients with mitral regurgitation. Thrombi are less frequent in patients without spontaneous echo contrast. Severe spontaneous echo contrast is significantly associated with mitral stenosis, atrial fibrillation and left atrial thrombi.

Acute Disease↗

Clinical and hemodynamic predictors of survival in patients aged < 65 years with severe congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

To identify which clinical or hemodynamic parameters predict survival in patients with end-stage heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, 130 consecutive patients aged < 65 years (mean 46 +/- 13) assessed for heart transplantation from May 1986 to April 1991 were studied. Mean follow-up was 15 +/- 11 months. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 22 +/- 7%. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 27 +/- 9 mm Hg, and cardiac index was 2.2 +/- 0.6 liter/min/m2. Symptom class was IV in 91% of patients and III in 9%. Etiology was ischemic in 40% of patients and idiopathic in 60%. After intensive medical therapy, heart transplantation was considered indicated in 53% of patients, contraindicated in 20% and not indicated in 27%. Transplantation was performed in 36% of patients during follow-up, and 35% died and 29% were alive without transplantation. A comparison, excluding patients with transplantation, was performed between those who were alive and had survived > or = 6 months after assessment, and those who died. On multivariate analysis, the following 3 parameters were independent predictors of prognosis: intravenous inotropic requirement (p < 0.001), maximal, tolerated captopril dose (p = 0.013) and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.003). When patients with transplantation were considered as deaths, stabilization on medical therapy also reached statistical significance (p = 0.009). Classic prognostic markers including ventricular arrhythmias, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, cardiac index, amiodarone therapy and etiology were not associated with prognosis in this homogeneous population of severely ill patients.

Adolescent↗

[Endocarditis caused by non-diphtheriae Corynebacterium. Presentation of 12 cases and review].

BACKGROUND: Corynebacterium is known as a pathogen for man, particularly C. diphtheriae, while other species may cause disease and particularly cardiac valve infection, mainly in immunosuppressed patients, intravenous drug addicts, valve prosthesis carriers, patients with previous valvular disease, with congenital heart diseases or those submitted to cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS: Seven episodes of endocarditis due to Corynebacterium no diphtheriae among six patients admitted to our hospital between 1989 and 1992 are analyzed. RESULTS: The mitral valve was often affected with a predominance of incidence in the native valve. Four cases were cured with antibiotic therapy and in three patients surgical valve replacement was required. Recurrence of endocarditis was observed in one of the patients. One case of mycotic cerebral aneurysm and one intracranial hemorrhage are complications of note. One of the patients had undergone kidney transplantation being the first case described with endocarditis by C. no diphtheriae in this subset of patients. Transesophageal echocardiography was the principal diagnostic measure. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the number of immunosuppressed patients (organ transplantations and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and prosthesis carriers wake advisable that these microorganisms be taken into account as etiologic agents of infectious endocarditis.

Adult↗

[Patients with an acute myocardial infarct treated in a coronary unit or in a general cardiology ward A comparative study].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary care units have been accepted as the standard location for treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, controversy over their clinical impact, current role and cost-effectiveness still remains. Due to the increased incidence of coronary artery disease in Spain, coronary care units are often full, and patients with acute myocardial infarction must be cared for in a general cardiology ward. METHODS: We have studied the features and results of 420 patients with acute myocardial infarction consecutively admitted to our hospital and compared patients cared for in the coronary care unit (329 [78%]) with those cared for in the cardiology ward (91 [22%]). Admission to cardiology ward or coronary care unit was based on the clinical judgment of emergency room physicians and the bed availability. No differences in age, sex, risks factors, prior history of coronary heart disease, blood pressure on admission, extension and complications of myocardial infarction were found between both groups. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with evolved and non-Q wave acute myocardial infarction, and admission electrocardiogram not suggestive of infarction was significantly higher in ward group (23 versus 2.4%, p < 0.001; 19 versus 11%, p < 0.01; and 43 versus 15%, p < 0.01; respectively). Although patients admitted to the coronary care unit underwent intravenous thrombolysis and coronary artery revascularization procedures in a higher proportion, mortality was similar in both groups (14% for ward patients and 17% for coronary care unit patients). When patients with evolved or non-Q wave infarctions and those with admission electrocardiograms not suggestive of infarction were excluded from the analysis, mortality rates remained similar. Subgroups mortality was in general similar for patients cared for in cardiology ward or in coronary care unit, although patients without shock, with Killip class I or II, and older than 70 years, had a slightly lesser mortality when treated in the Cardiology ward (5 versus 11%, 6 versus 11%, and 14 versus 28%, respectively). By contrast, patients with shock, Killip class III or IV, and electrocardiogram at admission not suggestive of infarction, had a lesser mortality when cared for in coronary care unit. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that some subgroups of patients with acute myocardial infarction can be, if needed, effective and safely cared for in cardiology ward.

Aged↗

[Infectious endocarditis due to Q fever. A report of 4 new cases].

Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an uncommon cause of culture-negative infective endocarditis. Four cases of Q fever endocarditis diagnosed at our hospital in the last 7 years are reported (8% of all infective endocarditis). Infection involved a prosthetic heart valve in 3 cases (15% of all prosthetic valve endocarditis), and one patient with single ventricle and pulmonary stenosis in the remaining case. Important complications developed in all cases, and 3 patients underwent cardiac surgery. Mortality was 50%. Some diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of this disease are discussed.

Adult↗

[Orthotopic heart transplant. Study of early morbimortality (< or = 30 days). Experience at the Reina Sofía Hospital (Córdoba)].

From may 1986 to december 1991, we have performed 90 heart transplantation in the Hospital "Reina Sofía" from Córdoba. In the present study we analyze the early morbidity and mortality in a retrospective study on complications and factors determining its incidence. Seventy patients were male (86%) and 13 female (14%). Age ranged from 12 and 65 years. The 31% of patients needed in pharmacological support before transplantation, 15 of them were operated in a emergency situation because of cardiogenic shock. The pulmonary resistances oscillated between 0.5 and 8.7 units/m2 (Wood) (mean 2.5 +/- 1.4 units/m2). The mean time of ischaemia was 136 +/- 38 minutes (range 5-255 min). Hospital mortality (< or = 30 days) was 8.8% (8/90). No predictive factors from donor and recipient were found. Three main influences on complications were analyzed: a) influence of myocardial temperature, b) role of hematic cardioplegia, and c) usefulness of Aprotinin. Eighteen patients (20%) developed severe bradyarrhythmia needing a pacemaker in the post-operative period. We found a significant relationship with myocardial temperature (4.3 +/- 2.1 vs 6.2 +/- 2.6; p < 0.05) and transport solution temperature (5.8 +/- 2.3 vs 7.3 +/- 1.9; p < 0.05). No significant influence was found on the time of ischaemia, previous heart disease, previous treatment with Amiodarona, clinical condition, etc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous clinical and hemodynamic improvement in patients on waiting list for heart transplantation.

Heart transplantation is currently the most effective therapy for patients with severe heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, although long-term survival without transplantation has been described in a few patients. We have identified five patients with severe heart failure who experienced a significant clinical and hemodynamic improvement while they were waiting for heart transplantation. At initial assessment, all five patients were symptom-class 4; left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 33 +/- 4 mm Hg, left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.20 +/- 0.01, left ventricular end-systolic volume was 130 +/- 3 ml/min/m2, and cardiac index was 2.1 +/- 0.1 L/min/m2. These patients showed a marked improvement at two to ten months after initial assessment, while they were waiting for a donor heart. After a follow-up of 10 to 31 months (mean follow-up, 20 months), the five patients were still alive and their clinical and hemodynamic condition remained stable. On the contrary, survival was less than 15 percent at six months for the remaining patients with indications for heart transplantation but in whom transplant could not be performed because of the existence of contraindications or lack of donors; all these patients were dead at 18 months after initial assessment. The five patients who developed spontaneous favorable outcome showed a trend to have higher serum sodium values, shorter symptomatic history, lesser need for intravenous inotropic support, and better response to medical therapy than the other patients. Our findings suggest that some patients with transplants could have experienced a sustained and spontaneous clinical and hemodynamic recovery with medical therapy alone, although it seems currently difficult to identify patients with this favorable outcome.

Adult↗

[Bradyarrhythmias secondary to the use of ophthalmic timolol. A report of 3 cases].

Three cases of symptomatic bradycardia due to topical ocular timolol administration are reported. Two patients had syncope related to atrioventricular block, and the other one complained of dizziness due to sinus bradycardia. Heart disease was not present in any case, although a right bundle branch block was observed in one patients. A normal sinus rhythm resumed in all patients after discontinuation of timolol.

Aged↗

[Spontaneous remission in a patient with long-term idiopathic dilated myocardiopathy].

The case of a patient with long-term idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, functional class IV, very depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (13%) and history of severe dyspnea for more than four years, who experienced an spontaneous clinical and hemodynamic recovery (functional class I, left ventricular ejection fraction 51%) while being on waiting list for heart transplantation is reported. The patient remains in good clinical condition after a follow-up of two years.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

A multicenter double-blind study comparing lovastatin and gemfibrozil in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia.

The efficacy and tolerability of lovastatin and gemfibrozil were compared in a randomized double-blind 12-week study including 182 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, from 7 hospitals in Spain. Inclusion criteria were total-cholesterol of at least 250 mg/dl and triglycerides less than 350 mg/dl. Patients were stratified in two groups: group 1, cholesterol less than 300 mg/dl, and group II, cholesterol equal to or more than 300 mg/dl. Patients were randomized to gemfibrozil (600 mg b.i.d.) or lovastatin (20 mg q.p.m., group I and 40 mg q.p.m., group II). If after 6 weeks of treatment cholesterol remained above 200 mg/dl, lovastatin does were doubled. In group I, lovastatin decreased cholesterol by 20%, LDL-C by 28%, and triglycerides by 17%, and increased HDL-C by 8%. In group II the results were: -26%, -33%, -19% and +6% respectively. The corresponding results with gemfibrozil were: -8%, -9%, -28% and +14% (group I); and -13%, -14%, -33% and +9% (group II). In both groups, lovastatin was more effective in reducing cholesterol and LDL-C (P less than 0.001) and gemfibrozil in reducing triglycerides (P less than 0.05 group I and P less than 0.01 group II). Both drugs were well tolerated. Thus, lovastatin and gemfibrozil are effective lipid-lowering agents; lovastatin has more pronounced effects in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Adult↗

[The management by medical treatment of an intracranial mycotic aneurysm in a patient with infectious endocarditis with negative blood cultures and hypertrophic myocardiopathy].

A case of intracranial mycotic aneurysm due to culture-negative infective endocarditis involving a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is reported. The patient, a 22-year-old woman with no history of known prior disease, had fever, headache and focal neurologic symptoms 3 days before admission. An echocardiogram performed after admission disclosed an obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a gross vegetation on septal leaflet of mitral valve. Cerebral angiography revealed a mycotic aneurysm involving a peripheral branch of the left middle cerebral artery. Causal agent was not identified, and empiric treatment with penicillin G and streptomycin achieved medical cure and disappearance of the aneurysm 2 weeks later. Four months after endocarditis had been cured, the patient was electively operated because of progression of mitral regurgitation. Six months later, she is asymptomatic.

Adult↗

[Acute pericarditis as initial clinical manifestation of hypereosinophilia syndrome].

The case of a patient in whom acute pericarditis was the initial manifestation of an idiopathic hypereosinophilia is reported. Endomyocardial abnormalities were not found by echocardiography. Response to prednisone therapy was good; symptoms, pericardial effusion and eosinophilia early disappeared after therapy. Some clinical aspects of this uncommon disease are discussed.

Acute Disease↗